Dynamo Ambush Complete-Scorpions Advance In US Open Cup

Dutchman Hans Dennisen knocks home the winning goal against Houston in Tuesday's third-round US Open Cup Match.

It wasn’t US-England 1950…..but it was damn close.

The San Antonio Scorpions stunned the two-time MLS Cup champion Houston Dynamo 1-0 at Heroes Stadium Tuesday night. Hans Dennisen converted a penalty kick in the 51st minute that staked a lead the Scorpions never surrendered.

My write-up between the Texas teams included a comparison of General’s Sam Houston and Santa Anna and their final battle at San Jacinto. Just as the ambush on Santa Anna’s army unfolded, so too did the fateful trap unfold for Houston coach Dominic Kinnear.

San Antonio played the entire game as if their lives depended on the outcome. The Crocketteers’ battle cry, “Victory or Death!, seemed to fall directly in line with the Scorpions inspired production on the field. Hans Dennisen, Pablo Campos, and spot starter Esteban Bayona (filling in for the suspended Walter Ramirez), dominated the front-lines creating multiple scoring opportunities that had Houston dancing on their heels.

GK Daryl Sattler and his band of defenders once again were perfect, recording a clean sheet against the Dynamo.

Houston on the other hand, came out with a very slow-tempo game plan, bordering the line of disrespect for their NASL opponents. Players and coaches acted as if the match was an exhibition, not the historic U.S. Open Cup. If they didn’t want to be here, it showed. Dynamo players lolly-gagged for most of the game, seemingly waiting to counter-attack mistakes a ‘inexperienced expansion team’ like San Antonio should be making.

The mistakes never came.

Scorpion players won 90% of every 50-50 ball, out hustled their MLS counterpart, and more importantly, played with passion and desire. Something Dynamo players wanted nothing to do with.

Let it be known however that Dominic Kinnear didn’t bring his full squad to San Antonio. His lineup consisted of a sour mix of starters, bench players, and reserves. Certainly a valid excuse for unfamiliarity on the pitch between players. Not a valid excuse for a loss however.

Maybe Kinnear will bring his ‘A’ squad next time he comes to our battle grounds. Lesson learned.

But this day goes to the San Antonio Scorpions.

For they are team that simply waited in hiding; ambushing Santa Anna’s Orange Creamsicles when they least expected it.

6 Comments to Dynamo Ambush Complete-Scorpions Advance In US Open Cup

“Orange Creamsicles”

Colin Bloodworth on
30 May 2012

You are right, it was not US vs. England…but I don’t think it was close to that either. Exciting game? Yes…the most important so far for the Scorpions? Yes; but the Houston Dynamo did not do their part to make it memorable.

One thing that you forgot to mention is the lack on execution on a pair of scoring opportunities by the Scorpions players. I think the players need to make the best out of those opportunities because it will kill them on future games.

MLS is totally disrespecting this tournament; Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake are going to destroy the little prestige that this cup still has.

@Dark Chicharito: Agreed. San Antonio easily could have one the game 3-0, 4-0 on break away goal opportunities, but couldn’t finish. The inability to finish can come back to haunt teams in the end….but not this night! Thanks for your comments!

David Casarez on
30 May 2012

I was disappointed by the result, though I will definitely tip my hat to the quality and more importantly, desire that you guys displayed. You guys wanted it more and out-hustled us. I’ll be quite honest in saying we fielded a side that could’ve won, and won rather handily, but this came down to desire and preparation and we lacked both. Believe me, our reserves are damn good and many could be starting at clubs elsewhere, but we played very disjointed and disinterested…compounding that is the feeling I get that Dom doesn’t seem to really care about it, and that’s a shame. We had a couple of individuals that showed urgency, but not enough to pull the team together.

I dearly hope we supporters can put more pressure on the team to take this more seriously in terms of preparation and dedication; I know we have 4 matches in 14 days (2 league matches, 1 Open Cup and 1 exhibition/friendly) but still, we played very “meh” last night.

Keep up the fight and fly the flag for Texas and go get Charlotte!

Michael_D on
30 May 2012

We’ll do our best Michael D! Thanks for the friendly Texas support!

David Casarez on
31 May 2012

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